Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Public transport fares

I WAS surprised to read in yesterday's report that bus and train fares will go down by 2.5 per cent ('New bus, train fare system').  To peg charges to the distance travelled is a great system of calculation. Thank you, Public Transport Council, for such a good move.
Bennie Cheok
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_517466.html

Bus, train fare system must be fair to all THE Public Transport Council's decision ('New bus, train fare system'; yesterday) to implement a distance-based system to calculate transport fares with effect from July 3 is a novel approach.
While the council says it will lead to greater savings for nearly two out of three commuters, my concern is for the third of commuters who must pay a higher transport fare than at present.
It seems highly unusual that we have to penalise a significant number of commuters just because they have a direct route to their destinations. Through no fault of their own, they find themselves having to pay more so that the majority can pay less. There should be as much fairness as possible and this should not be at the expense of the minority, or anyone for that matter.
The aim should be to improve everyone's life while not worsening anyone's life in the process. I hope that future fare calculations will be done with this in mind.
Gregory Lou
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_517597.html

Part time work

Are you interested to do part time work at Tampines St 92 and petrol stations in Serangoon North and Mandai to promote a new taxi calling service? You have to distribute leaflets to taxi drivers and explain the service to them. This is suitable for older people in their 40s or for students during the holidays. The pay will be based on hourly rate and will be for 4 hours a day or longer. If you are interested, you can call Song Kwang (mobile: 97110423) or send an e-mail to kinlian@gmail.com.

NOTE: If you know of someone interested in this part time work, please tell them about it. Pass the word around.

Winning elections

Some views from Yoong Siew Wah.

My comment
It is better to lose an election honorably than to resort to dirty tricks to get re-elected.

Reputation of Shopping Malls

Dear Mr. Tan
A land banking company is using temporary space in Vivocity. They seem to be using legitimate real estate to introduce land banking and high yield investment offerings. The same compay also uses space in Raffles City.

To what extent do the owners of these locations have a responsibility to ensure that the space they rent is used ethically and legally ?. And to what extent does their brand image suffer by being associated with non-ethical investment programs ?

Certain shopping malls in Singapore  have a reputation for cheating consumers even though the majority of retailers in those locations are honest.  High end brands wont move to those locations because of that reputation. Rents and reputation suffer accordingly. Some of these high end shopping malls should perhaps think about how many cheating retailers it takes to make a bad reputation.

SF

Liberal arts education (2)

This is a learning philosophy. Read this letter.

Buy motor insurance directly

Dear Mr Tan,

I wish to share a low-cost online purchase of car insurance with Aviva.
www.aviva.com.sg
Please share this in your blog if you like.


My profile: Male, 34, married, zero NCD, driving license 7 years, indoor job, 2005 used car, 1.4liter, zero demerit point.
Annual Premium: is $1503 ($500 excess, zero NCD, any 25 years old & above can drive, pay in full with credit card).
I have 5 other car insurance quotes and the next lowest annual premium is $1900+.


I heard over the radio (Class 95) that Aviva is new to the car insurance market in Singapore, They are taking away the middle man and streamline the back office operation and therefore giving a good deal to drivers.
This is a good buy direct service with the Internet.

My comment
It will be easy to get a quote from Aviva through their website.  You do not need to wait for the next renewal date. You can ask for a quote for your current year and compare with your existing premium, just to get an idea about how competitive they are.

Land banking story on CNA - 18 April

The land banking story was aired on 18 April. I was not able to watch it (as I was interviewed at the same time on another programme). Can those who watched it shared your views?

Pain of separation

As I was entering the departure hall at Jakarta Airport, I saw a scene that touched my heart. A little girl (maybe 5 years old) was crying loudly. She was clinging to her father who was leaving Indonesia, probably to work overseas. Her grand parents were trying to console her.

I was very sad that families had to be broken in this manner and that the parents had to be separated from their small children to work overseas. Many of these parents are working in Singapore as domestic maids and foreign workers. Many employers do not like their maids to use the telephone as they may "cause trouble". The maids are also discouraged to telephone to their families at home.

I hope that the employers realise that these maids and foreign workers have family and children back at home. Let us help them to lessen their pain of being separated from their family.

Tan Kin Lian